Sunflower, Hungarian Black Seeded (Organic)
Helianthus annuus.
5-7′ tall plants produce mostly single, 8-12” flowers with yellow petals. Large, black seeds are tasty as a snack and also good for fresh sprouts since they’re huge. Black seeded sunflower seeds are a popular protein-rich food in eastern Europe, and are very popular with the birds here at our farm. May also be pressed for oil if you can grow enough. This variety was collected on our first Seed Ambassadors trip from Martin Ringhoffer, who grows this Hungarian heirloom on his farm in Hungary.
Seed produced by Avoca in Corvallis, Oregon.
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Direct sow 1/2” deep after danger of frost has passed (mid-May). Thin to 18” for largest blooms, decrease spacing for smaller plants. Prefers full sun and protection from wind.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from seed heads that are fully dry. Shell by hand, winnow or screen to clean. Highly cross-pollinating, for pure seed isolate from other sunflower varieties by 1/2 mile.
Question
Korbin Paul –
I am growing these for genetic preservation (pop of 80) in Northeast Iowa. How do you protect from deer? When do they bloom and how long is their bloom period?
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Shop Manager Andrew Still –
We have not had trouble with deer and sunflowers, but we use three strand electric fencing to keep them out of our fields. we sow in May and harvest the seed heads in September before the rains start back up. Sorry for not having exact numbers. They would not exactly relate to Iowa anyway.
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